“Vietnam commits to join hands for a green, sustainable and prosperous ASEAN”

Vietnam currently has 15 ASEAN Heritage Parks, making important contributions to the implementation of the Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework and the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan.

**Conservation of nature and biodiversity. (Photo: Hoai Nam/Vietnam+)**

At the 8th ASEAN Heritage Gardens Conference (AHP8) held on December 3 in Quang Ninh province, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Environment Nguyen Quoc Tri emphasized that as a country with high biodiversity in the world, Vietnam is committed to accompanying member countries, joining hands for a green, sustainable and prosperous ASEAN.

By 2025, the entire ASEAN region will have 69 recognized ASEAN Heritage Gardens, of which Vietnam will be recognized as 15 ASEAN Heritage Gardens, making an important contribution to the implementation of the Montreal - Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework and the ASEAN Biodiversity Plan.

The ASEAN Heritage Parks Conference is held every three years. In 2025, the conference will take place in Quang Ninh province, co-organized by the ASEAN Biodiversity Centre (ACB ) in collaboration with the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (NBCA), Ministry of Agriculture and Environment - the focal point of the ASEAN Working Group on Nature Conservation and Biodiversity of Vietnam.

With the theme “ASEAN Heritage Parks: ASEAN’s Contribution to the Implementation of the Biodiversity Plan,” the conference brought together national park managers, protected area management agencies, technical experts, institutional partners, etc. to promote interdisciplinary dialogue and enhance regional cooperation.

In addition, the conference is also an opportunity for stakeholders to showcase how ASEAN Heritage Parks contribute to global biodiversity goals through nature-based solutions, climate change response, sustainable resource management and inclusive governance.

In his opening speech, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri emphasized that Vietnam’s honor to host this conference is a testament to Vietnam’s proactive, active and responsible role in ASEAN’s common efforts. This is an opportunity for member countries in the region to share experiences, identify common directions and turn commitments into practical actions.

Introducing the biodiversity situation in the country, Mr. Tri said that Vietnam has many rich ecosystems such as forests, seas, limestone mountains, wetlands, corals and seagrass.

In recent times, Vietnam has achieved many important results in nature conservation: Perfecting the legal policy system, perfecting the management organization from the central to local levels, enhancing decentralization, mobilizing the participation of communities, businesses, and social organizations.

In the coming time, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Tri affirmed that Vietnam will continue to effectively implement the National Strategy on Biodiversity and the Regional Action Plan on ASEAN Heritage Parks to 2030, aiming at harmonious management between conservation and development, equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, and building green livelihoods and sustainable ecotourism .

Vietnam pledges to join hands for a green, sustainable and prosperous ASEAN. (Photo source: National Remote Sensing Agency)

“Vietnam will also strengthen cooperation with the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, the AHP Secretariat and development partners to share knowledge, mobilize resources and expand cooperation in the field of conservation,” Mr. Tri said.

Say no to projects that harm the environment

Affirming the local commitment, Mr. Nguyen Van Cong - Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province said that the province has been strictly implementing biodiversity conservation planning.

Quang Ninh resolutely says no to projects that harm the environment, no matter how great the immediate economic benefits; pioneers initiatives to reduce ocean plastic waste and restore coastal ecosystems.

According to Vice Chairman Nguyen Van Cong, the above efforts are not only to protect the "common home" for the people of Quang Ninh, but also our responsibility towards the heritages that the world and ASEAN have entrusted to us.

Delighted to cooperate with the Government of Vietnam through the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity in organizing the 8th ASEAN Heritage Gardens Conference, Dr. Jerome Montemayor - Executive Director of ACB expressed his hope that this will be an opportunity to emphasize the key role of indigenous people, local communities, women and youth in achieving biodiversity goals in the coming time.

According to the program, the conference will include plenary sessions, parallel technical discussions, interactive exhibitions and field visits to showcase best practices in protected area management and ecosystem restoration.

Technical sessions will focus on nature-based solutions to climate change, the link between health and biodiversity, the engagement of indigenous peoples, local communities, youth and women in conservation, ecosystem restoration, the 30x30 biodiversity target, and sustainable finance for protected areas.

In the coming working days, managers, experts and scientists from within and outside the country will discuss openly and frankly to come up with breakthrough initiatives for the ASEAN Heritage Park system.

On the sidelines of the AHP8 Conference, there will also be an exhibition and trading area for biodiversity-based products and many other events./.

In 1984, the ASEAN Environment Ministers Meeting marked the birth of the ASEAN Heritage Gardens Programme through the Declaration of the Environment Ministers on the ASEAN Heritage Gardens Programme.

To date, the ASEAN Heritage Gardens Programme is considered one of the leading regional programmes aimed at affirming the global importance, uniqueness, diversity and outstanding value of national protected areas of ASEAN member countries to people in general and the people of ASEAN countries in particular.

The ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme also affirms the importance of managing protected areas to maintain ecological cycles and life support systems; conserve genetic diversity; ensure sustainable use of species and ecosystems; and maintain natural areas of scenic, cultural, educational, research, recreational and tourism value.

Source: https://baolangson.vn/viet-nam-cam-ket-chung-tay-vi-mot-asean-xanh-ben-vung-va-thinh-vuong-5066858.html